Panthers, Williams agree on 5-year deal

Brad Thomas

07/28/2006

The Carolina Panthers will open training camp without any hold-outs on Saturday, as the team came to terms with first round pick DeAngelo Williams late Thursday night and fourth round pick Nate Salley earlier in the day.

Williams agreed to a 5-year, $7.7 million deal per Joe Menzer of the Winston-Salem Journal. Nate Salley signed a 3-year deal, however the terms have not been released as of the writing of this article.

DeAngelo Williams was the 27th overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft and could challenge incumbent starter DeShaun Foster for the feature back role in the Panthers' offense. Williams currently is the NCAA Division I-A all-time leader in all-purpose yards, amassing 7,573 in his career with Memphis. Williams also currently holds the NCAA record for career 100-yard rushing efforts,totaling 34 in 44 games, besting the likes of such legends as Ohio State's Archie Griffin and Pittsburgh's Tony Dorsett.